GOP leaders avoid fight over divisive guest worker plan

[Judi Lynn]

Jan. 21, 2006, 12:50AM
GOP leaders avoid fight over divisive guest worker plan
For the sake of party unity, foes of Bush proposal draft declaration of guarded support

By GEBE MARTINEZ
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Republican leaders sidestepped a potentially divisive battle about President Bush's proposed guest worker program Friday when opponents dropped a planned debate for the sake of party unity.

Instead of voting on a resolution opposing Bush's policy, members of the Republican National Committee passed a statement supporting guest worker visas for illegal immigrants already in the United States but with strict conditions to ensure it does not offer amnesty.

The president has said he does not favor amnesty, but immigration opponents within the party see any temporary visa program for those already here as a reward for coming to the United States illegally.

That the issue would come up at a meeting of the party hierarchy shows the chasm within the GOP about the immigration issue. The national committee is the president's chief political organization and usually promotes his agenda without question.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/3601971.html
(Free registration required)

[LiberalInGeorgia2005]

1. The immigration thing will be the republicans' downfall

It just splits their party too deep.

[rodeodance]

2. but this strategy may keep it under the radar till 2006 election!!